Large-Area, Lightweight and Thick Biomimetic Composites with Superior Material Properties via Fast, Economic, and Green Pathways

Although remarkable success has been achieved to mimic the mechanically excellent structure of nacre in laboratory-scale models, it remains difficult to foresee mainstream applications due to time-consuming sequential depositions or energy-intensive processes. Here, we introduce a surprisingly simpl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nano letters 2010-08, Vol.10 (8), p.2742-2748
Main Authors: Walther, Andreas, Bjurhager, Ingela, Malho, Jani-Markus, Pere, Jaakko, Ruokolainen, Janne, Berglund, Lars A, Ikkala, Olli
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomimetic materials
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Conservation of Natural Resources
Exact sciences and technology
layered composite
Materials Testing
mechanical properties
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Molecular Mimicry
nacre
Nanocomposites - economics
NATURAL SCIENCES
NATURVETENSKAP
Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation
Optical properties of low-dimensional, mesoscopic, and nanoscale materials and structures
Physics
self-assembly
TECHNOLOGY
TEKNIKVETENSKAP
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Summary:Although remarkable success has been achieved to mimic the mechanically excellent structure of nacre in laboratory-scale models, it remains difficult to foresee mainstream applications due to time-consuming sequential depositions or energy-intensive processes. Here, we introduce a surprisingly simple and rapid methodology for large-area, lightweight, and thick nacre-mimetic films and laminates with superior material properties. Nanoclay sheets with soft polymer coatings are used as ideal building blocks with intrinsic hard/soft character. They are forced to rapidly self-assemble into aligned nacre-mimetic films via paper-making, doctor-blading or simple painting, giving rise to strong and thick films with tensile modulus of 45 GPa and strength of 250 MPa, that is, partly exceeding nacre. The concepts are environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and economic and are ready for scale-up via continuous roll-to-roll processes. Excellent gas barrier properties, optical translucency, and extraordinary shape-persistent fire-resistance are demonstrated. We foresee advanced large-scale biomimetic materials, relevant for lightweight sustainable construction and energy-efficient transportation.
ISSN:1530-6984
1530-6992
1530-6992
DOI:10.1021/nl1003224